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The Turk's cap plant (Malvaviscus arboreus) is native to southeastern U.S. and parts of Mexico. Named for the shape of its small flower, which resembles the traditional Turkish hat, Turk's cap is related to the hibiscus plant and is sometimes called the sleeping hibiscus because its petals never fully open. Suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, Turk's cap is a versatile plant that only needs ordinary care to flourish.

Characteristics

The Turk's cap plant grows as a bushy, 8- to 9-foot-tall shrub that also does well when pruned to one or two stems to develop as a small tree. A woody to semi-woody plant, it has large, slightly fuzzy leaves and, when unpruned, many spreading stems. It blooms from May through November, with new flowers opening daily. The flowers have petals that wrap around each other, with long stamens and pistils that extend well beyond the petals. Turk's cap flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds and moths. Its fruits resemble small red cherries and attract birds and other wildlife. The fruits ripen in fall, splitting into five segments, each with one seed.

Sun

Turk's cap is does best when grown in full sun, where it becomes an extensively branched and bushy plant, and produces abundant flowers. If it receives full sun for only a few hours each day, it may spread a bit more and have sparser flowers. You can also grow Turk's cap in a spot that's partially shaded for the entire day, but the plant will tend to become more leggy and less heavily flowering, and may need regular cutting back to keep in well-shaped and within bounds. Turk's cap is not a good choice for full shade, where it will bloom only slightly, if at all, and will tend to become a rangy, open-stemmed plant.

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Suitable Sites

Turk's cap makes a pleasing specimen, planted by itself in full sun where its flowering is seen to best advantage. It also does well as a tall accent plant in the rear of a sunny border or as part of a sunny, mixed hedge. It is quite tolerant of clipping when part of a hedge, but this should be done in winter or early spring to preserve flowering in the following months. Turk's cap is semi-evergreen in warm regions but in areas with winter frosts, it may die to the ground during cold weather. It usually re-grows the following spring, although its bloom may be delayed until summer. Adding a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch in fall can help minimize cold damage, as can choosing a planting site on a slope, where cold air can drain away towards lower portions of the slope.

Other Requirements

Turk's cap is generally tolerant of all soil types, but prefers well-drained, fertile loam. It can be drought-tolerant once established, but does best with regular water, especially when the top few inches of soil are dry to the touch. It is also quite pest-free and not especially susceptible to any common plant diseases. To enlarge your planting of Turk's cap, take cuttings at any time the plant is actively growing. These usually root well in a few weeks when kept in moist potting soil or sand.

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About the Author

Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.